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Itumbi’s chapati forum marred by unruly street kids


Police were forced to fire in the air five times to quell chaos that briefly marred an event organized by State House Director of Digital Communication Dennis Itumbi for a good cause.

Mr Itumbi was celebrating his birthday party with street children at the event dubbed ‘Chapati Forum’ which other than bringing together his friends also included other activities such as cooking chapatis and medical checkups for the homeless kids.

But the event turned chaotic when the street children suddenly surged forward as food was being served, overwhelming the service team.

The street children pushed and shoved each other in order to get the free meal that included chapati, beef stew and pilau. The situation quickly got out of control as they started hurling projectiles all over the place.

POLICE FIRE IN THE AIR

A young girl enjoys a chapati during Dennis Itumbi's Chapati Forum at Moi Avenue Primary School, Nairobi. PHOTO | FRANSOIR NDERITU
A young girl enjoys a chapati during Dennis Itumbi’s Chapati Forum at Moi Avenue Primary School, Nairobi. PHOTO | FRANSOIR NDERITU

It was at this point that police were forced to fire in the air to disperse the street children as people scampered for safety.

Several people were injured and treated at the scene by the Red Cross personnel who were on standby. Regardless, Itumbi termed the event as a big success.

“You cannot measure success by what has happened here, it was just a small incident,” he said.

According to Itumbi, more than 10,000 chapatis were cooked in what he said will now be a bi-monthly event that will be held in all 47 counties.

“After today’s event we will compile a report to ensure that all challenges encountered are solved. Because of the diversity of those who attended, we are confident some of the solutions will be arrived at instantly,” he added.